Projectable and retractable enclosed structure



Dec. 15, 1970 w. DEMARAls 3,546,827

PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE ENCLOSED STRUCTURE Original Filed April 15. 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /7 if Z J/ *"T 'J I %/M d IN VENTOR.

Dec. 15, 1970 w DEMARAls 3,546,?

PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE ENCLOSED STRUCTURE Original Filed April 15, 1968 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Dec. 15, 170 w. H. DEMARAIS 3,546,327

PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE ENCLOSED STRUCTURE Original Filed April 15, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent US. Cl. 52-29 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A first platform supports the enclosed structure and has pillars on the corners which support a roof structure or second platform which encloses a pit in which the first platform is retracted to have the roof structure form a cover therefor. A fluid tank, pump and motor provides pressure fluid to a ram at the bottom of the pit which supports the first platform when secured thereto at the center thereof. The roof structure may be used as a sun deck when the first platform is in raised position to cover the area therebelow which may be employed as a refreshment area for food and drinks.

This application is a continuation of copending application S.N. 721,465 filed Apr. 15, 1968, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hydraulic rams have been employed heretofore for raising and lowering an automobile on a rack supported thereby, elevator cages and the like but the use of the platform and roof structure which is raisable and lowerable in a pit by the ram is believed to be new.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of platform structure when in raised position out of the pit which embodies features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, as viewed from the point 2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken along the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 taken on the line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, taken on the line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4, taken on the line 6-6 thereof, and

FIG. 7 is a broken exploded view of the structure illus trated in the foregoing figures, showing the relationship of the parts thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The enclosed structure 11 and the raising and lowering mechanism 12 thereof is illustrated with parts in exploded relation as in FIG. 7 and which forms the upper level. A solid concrete pit 13 is built into the ground to extend thereabove an amount to have a concrete platform 14 laid thereabout. The platform has a shoulder connection 15 with the top of the pit and slopes downwardly at 16 to cause the water to flow away from the pit. At the center of the pit a cylinder 17 extends into the ground and has a plate 18 at the top which rests upon rails 19. A pipe 20 is connected to the bottom of the cylinder for the flow of fluid into and from the cylinder. The bottom of the pit also contains a sump 21 in the nature of a large crock into which the end 22 of a row of weeping tile 23 about the pit bottom is connected. A sump pump 24 delivers water collected in the sump to a drain through a conduit 25.

A piston 26, which may be a hollow tube with an enclosed bottom, is raised and lowered within the cylinder 17 to which it is sealed. The piston has a metal plate 27 secured at the top which contains a plurality of apertures through which bolts extend to secure the plate to the center of a frame 28. Four channel members 31 are joined together at the corners to form the outer edge of the frame 28. Two opposite sides are connected by a pair of I-beams 32 which are braced by I-beam sections 33 extending angularly from the corners to the center of the I-beams 32. Additional I-beams 34 extend from the junction of the I-beams 32 and 33 to the adjacent channel members 31. This provides a rigid base structure which is supported solely on the plate 27 attached to the center of the I-beams 32.

A floor panel, or first platform 35 is secured to the top of the frame 28 having cutout corners for receiving a plate 36 on the bottom of posts 37 which are directly connected to the metal frame 28 at the corners. Braces 38 are connected to the posts and to the channel members 31, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, and braces 39 of greater length interconnect the frame 28 with the posts at one side of the frame. An opening 41 in the floor panel permits entrance to the pit 13, the opening normally being closed by a cover 42.

The top of the posts 37 has plates 43 on the ends by which connection is made to corners 44 of a frame 45, which supports a roof panel, or second platform 46, as more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. The frame has edge trim panels 47 and a plastic sheet material 48 is secured to the panel 46 to function as a linoleum on which furniture can be set and on which people can walk. A drip strip 49 may be applied about the frame at the top thereof for directing water away from the edge trim panels 47. A hollow sealing strip 51 is secured to the bottom edge of the frame 45 for forming a seal with the top of the pit 13 and the concrete platform 14 at the edge thereof. When the roof platform rests upon the top of the pit, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the pit will be entirely closed and sealed and the roof panel 46 can be used for furniture, as pointed out hereinabove. When in lowered position the plate 27 on the piston 26 rests upon the plate 18 on the cylinder.

A railing 52 may be secured adjacent to the top edge of the roof platform 46, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1, and a stair 53 also illustrated in broken lines provide access to the roof panel 46 when in raised position. The stair 53 is pivoted to a bracket 54 and is hinged at 55 with the upper section having a hand rail 56. The stair is so constructed that it may be folded and swung inwardly having the folded inward edge secured to the roof frame 45 on a pivoted book 57 and disposed completey thereunder so that it may be lowered with the platform into the pit.

In the construction illustrated in FIG. 1, the area is built as a dispensing bar having a back bar 58 for supplies, a front bar 59 and a plurality of stools 61 which, as illustrated in FIG. 6, are supported on an arcuate channel element 62 secured to a bracket 63 by a pivot 64. When the stools are not in use and the platform is to be lowered, the seating portion of the stools may be tipped forward against the bar so as not to interfere with the pit wall when lowered.

A well 65 communicates with the pit in which a tank 66 for oil or other liquid is mounted. A pump 67 and a driving motor 68 are supported on the tank for supplying fluid to the cylinder 17. The conduit 20 delivers the fluid to the cylinder or conducts the fluid from the cylinder 17 to the tank 66. Fluid and electric conduits (not illustrated) may be connected to the floor panel 35 to have Water, sewer and electrical outlets supplied to the area.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing device for raising and lowering a dispensing bar for drinks, food and the like between an upper dispensing level and a lower enclosing level, a first platform, corner uprights on said platform leaving the space therebetween open at the sides, front and back, a second platform supported on said uprights and extending therebeyond at the sides, front and back, a dispensing bar secured to said first platform and extending between the sides thereof, a back bar also secured to said first platform and extending between the sides thereof leaving a space between the dispensing bar and back bar for a person dispensing from said dispensing bar, said platforms when in raised position locating the dispensing bar for dispensing purposes and when lowered having the bar structure enclosed and its dispensing contents available for immediate service when the platforms are again raised to said upper level.

2. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 1, wherein seats are secured to said first platform forwardly of the dispensing bar in the raised and lowered position thereof.

3. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said raising means is a ram and wherein said first platform is a unit formed by structural members supported by said ram, and a floor supported by said structural members.

4. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 3, wherein a frame joins the top of the uprights and retains them in parallel relation, and a cover member on said frame to form said upper platform.

5. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 4, wherein said uprights are supported directly on said structural members which also directly supports said frame and cover member.

6. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 5, wherein an opening is provided through the floor and frame of said first platform in the area between the dispensing and back bar to permit access to the area therebelow, and a cover for said opening.

7. In a dispensing device as recited in claim 6, wherein the lower level is a pit within the ground, and wherein said ram is disposed within a hole below the bottom of the pit, fluid conductors to said ram extending from said pit, and a motor operated pump unit connected to said conduits.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,541,811 6/1925 Heeter 52638 2,189,486 2/1940 DAmico 52126 2,653,468 9/1953 Rowles 52l69 2,693,620 11/1954 Berman 52126 3,258,885 7/1966 Lodige 52-64 FOREIGN PATENTS 225,628 1924 Great Britain 5264 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

